Alginate and epimerase properties.

The weight average molecular weight (M_w), the polydispersity index determined as M_w/M_n where M_n is the number average molecular weight and the fractions of α-L-GulA (G), F_G, and diad fractions F_GG and F_GM, where M denotes β-D-ManA, were determined for the alginate samples as described in the text. The unit of the epimerase activities (RU) is described in the text.